A sequential dual-locked luminescent copper nanocluster probe for tumor cell imaging and killing

• Published in: Mikrochimica acta (1966) Vol. 191; no. 9; p. 511
• Main Authors: Chen, Fei, Xie, Ling, Deng, Ting, Li, Jishan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Vienna Springer Vienna 01.09.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Analytical Chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - chemistry; Antineoplastic Agents - pharmacology; Cell Line, Tumor; Cell Survival - drug effects; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Copper; Copper - chemistry; Electron transfer; Fluorescent Dyes - chemistry; Free radicals; Humans; Hyaluronic acid; Hyaluronic Acid - chemistry; Hydrogen peroxide; Hydrogen Peroxide - chemistry; Hydroxyl Radical - chemistry; Imaging; Luminescent Agents - chemical synthesis; Luminescent Agents - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Microengineering; Nanochemistry; Nanoclusters; Nanotechnology; Optical Imaging; Original Paper; Tannic acid; Tannins - chemistry; Tumors; Specific imaging of tumor cells; Therapy; Fenton reaction; Dual-locked luminescence nanoprobe; Copper nanoclusters (CuNCs)
• ISSN: 0026-3672; 1436-5073; 1436-5073
• DOI: 10.1007/s00604-024-06591-y

A sequential dual-locked luminescent copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) probe was designed and synthesized for the specific imaging and selective killing of tumor cells. This nanoprobe was prepared by first forming a Fe 3+ -coupled tannic acid (TA)-stabilized CuNCs (CuNCs-Fe III ), which is in quenching state due to the electron transfer between CuNCs and Fe 3+ , and then coating a protectable layer of hyaluronic acid (HA) on the surface of CuNCs-Fe III to form the final dual-locked nanoprobe (CuNCs-Fe III @HA). When the nanoprobe of CuNCs-Fe III @HA target enter the tumor cells through CD44-HA receptor, HAase will first digest the HA layer of the nanoprobes, and then, GSH over-expressed in tumor cells will reduce Fe 3+ to Fe 2+ , thus restoring the fluorescence emission of CuNCs and at the same time killing the tumor cells with the hydroxyl free radicals (∙OH) produced by the Fenton reaction between Fe 2+ and H 2 O 2 . This sequential dual-locked luminescent nanoprobe of CuNCs-Fe III @HA has been successfully used for the specific imaging and selective killing of tumor cells. Graphical Abstract